T tlvttttnn sit a t



(N o Model.)

F. ROEH'NERT. Bed

No. 241,071. Patented May 3,1881.

N. PETERS, Photo-Lthugmpher, Washington. D.C.

l NrrED STATES ATENT trice.

FREDERICK ROEHNERT,'OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,071, dated May 3, 1881.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern Bo it known that I, FREDERIGKROEHNERT, of Oakland, county of Alameda, State of' California,haveinvented an Improvement in Beds; and I hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to the class ol' beds, and to certain improvements therein, consisting in the combination of a peculiarly-constructed mattress and a roller journalcd at the head of the bedstead upon which the mattress is fitted, and by means of which it can be easily moved.

The object of my invention is to provide means by which a heavy top mattress can be readily changed to render every part serviceable.

The ordinary mattresses are heavy and unwieldy. Considerable exertion is required to turn them over when necessary. Itis also evident that the number of different changes is limited, so that when the mattress is used in one position and becomes pressed down and hardened in the place where the weight of the body rests, it can only be changed by turning the mattress over. Thus only aportion of the mattress is brought into use by being subject to so few changes. The hair or other filling of the mattress becomes hardened in certain places, and long beforeit is worn out becomes uncomfortable and practically useless. lts great weight renders ita task to turn it. One would therefore be less inclined to perform this operation often. To provide a mattress equally good, but with less weight, and one capable of being changed and turned to more advantage by bringing more of itself' into use, has been the endeavor of upholsterers. One method is to make the mattress in two or three pieces. For double beds the mattress is so cut as to leave the larger section square. The smaller section is put at the head. The weight of the body will press upon the larger piece toward its outer boundary. It is manifest that, being square, it can be moved in four changes onone side and four on the other,- and, being lighter than a whole mattress, is more easily changed,

but while this answers for double beds it cannot be used upon three-quarter or single beds, because these latter sizes, while retaining their length, narrow their width, and it is conse quently impossible to form asquare section out of the mattress without bringing the line of separation down in a 'place too low for comfort and use. The only method Awhich can be used for beds smaller than the double bed is'to form the mattress of three pieces. This is, however, objectionable in its very division, as being too troublesome. This brief account of the state of the art will give, a proper idea of the object and purpose ot' my invention.

Referring to The accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of a bed with the top mattress removed. Fig. 2 is a section of the bed with the top mattress in place.

Let A represent a bedstead with its head B and foot C.

D represents the under bed or mattress.

To the head of the bedstead, on its sideposts and above the side boards, are attached the brackets E, in which isjournaled the horizontal transverse roller F. These bearings may be of any practicable form or pattern to suit the different shapes of bed-frames, and to receive the roller in convenient position, as hereinafter explained. I have here shown them as projecting plates having forwardly-inclined slots in which the ends of the roller t. The bearings on one side may have a slot, and the other have a socket. In fact any fixtures can be arranged which will allow the roller to be properly journaled, and to be taken out or inserted with ease. The rollerF must be placed a little distance from the head, so as to provide a passage between it and the head.

Let G represent the top mattress. It is made in the shape of a continuous band or ring, as shown. rlhe thickness of both sides together is about equal to the ordinary mattress. The roller F passes through this mattress at its head, as shown. To move it the person stands at the foot of the bed and catches hold of the mattress by its lower part, and pulls it so as to turn it on the roller F. This requires but slight exertion, it having a free passage behind the roller, and having most of its weight raised from its under bed. Every portion of the mattress can be used. When it becomes pressed hard in one spot the least turn upon the roller will present a fresh spot to the weight. Double the surface is acquired, for besides having the upper and lower surfaces it may be taken off the roller and turned inside out. It has a bet-- ter airing than the ordinary forms. Its sides are thinner, in the first place, and more quickly aired, and then every time it is turned the air will getin between the sides and have free circulation.

W'hen necessary to change the whole mattress the roller can be taken out and the mattress removed. It will wear better, because, being,r easy to change or turn, it will be oftener subjected to that operation, and so present its entire surface to the wear. It can be filled with any substance used for this purpose.

This form of mattress is not coniined to double beds, but can be used upon any size ot' bedthree-quarters, single, or crib beds. It is entire; no hollows in it at the line of separation, as when the mattress is made of more than one piece. It can be made to tit the bed better and will remain a iit longer than theordnary mattresses. In th ese latter allowance must be made in cutting the ticking for the tufts, which, on account of the great thickness ofthe mattress,

take up this allowance and make itjust wideenough to titthebed. Vhen it becomes pressed and hard the tufts work loose and the mattress becomes wider and hangs over the sides. In my mattress this is not so likely to result, because its separate portions are only onelialt' the thickness, and consequently there need not be so great an allowance to be taken in by the tufts, so that the mattress cannot be pressed out very much.

In this mattress the outside casingis of one continuous piece of ticking and the inner casin g of another entire continuons piece. Its principal points of advantage are, however, in the ease with which it can be changed or turned, and in the fact that every portion can be utilized. The roller F will not be in the way. It can remain in its place all the time, and will, in fact, make .the head part alittle hi ghervhich is desirable. It will run easily and make no noise.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a bed, the combination of the mattress G, formed in a continuous band or ring, and the horizontal transverse roller F, journaled in brackets E at the head of the bed and fitting between the mattresses G, substantiallyas and for the purpose herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FREDERICK ROE HNERT.

Vitnesses:

S. H. NoURsE, FRANK A. BROOKS. 

